Saturday, October 6, 2007

Matthew Dear knows how to put on a great techno concert.

But a rock concert, not so much.

Dear is a fantastic and acclaimed producer of minimalist electronica, releasing dance-floor-friendly recordings under a variety of pseudonyms, including Audion. But his latest release, "Asa Breed," features himself as a singer-songwriter.

At the Rock & Roll Hotel on Thursday, Dear's songs had to stand on their own, without the benefit of studio tricks and techniques -- and they didn't. But that doesn't mean they can't; Dear just needs to tweak his live presentation.

His band, Big Hands, includes a bassist and a drummer, while Dear handles the vocals and triggers the synths and sequences on his computer. But a full live band, with a guitarist and a keyboardist, would have allowed the New Wavy songs to breathe and grow. As it was, with everyone locked into a too-quiet groove, the concert flat-lined from a lack of dynamics.

It wasn't until "Deserter" -- the first single from "Asa Breed" and the ninth tune in the 13-song set -- that the energy increased and Dear's frontman potential became evident. He has the dark baritone of Bauhaus's Peter Murphy, and Dear is a tall, lanky, handsome guy with a shock of curly hair. He moves and grooves like a rock star. He's just not one -- yet.

-- Christopher Porter